Sweet Deal as County Confectionery Moves to HSBC

Sweet Deal as County Confectionery Moves to HSBC
PR Newswire
LONDON, January 9, 2013
LONDON, January 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --
A family owned chocolate and fudge producer is planning to double production
and employee numbers with support from HSBC Commercial Bank. County
Confectionery is extending its St Ives-based kitchens and adding a second
fudge production line to meet strong levels of customer demand.
The expansion will give the company the capacity to double fudge production at
its kitchens on the Penbeagle Industrial Estate, where it currently employs 56
people. A further 26 jobs will be created as a result of the expansion, which
forms part of the company's plans to double turnover.
In addition to increasing the size of its domestic market, County
Confectionery is seeking to grow exports to around a quarter of turnover, up
from 16% presently. It currently sells its products into Canada, Australia,
the Middle East and the Far East.
County Confectionery has switched its business banking to HSBC in advance of
the expansion programme and the bank is providing a financial package to help
facilitate its growth. The deal has been led by Steve Hayward, Commercial
Manager at HSBC's Cornwall Commercial Centre.
County Confectionery began life as a St Ives fudge shop, opened by Ken and
Doreen Brian in 1981. The company moved into food production when their son
David began making fudge in his kitchen two years later. Current operations
director Chris joined his parents' business in 1986, leaving a career in
teaching to help the family manage their growing company. It remains
family-owned and managed, with David and his son Mark involved in sales and
marketing. Chris is responsible for operations and Ken has taken the role of
chairman.
County Confectionery produces fudge and chocolate under its own Copperpot
Originals brand, but mainly manufactures goods under a 'private label'
arrangement where the retailer will add its own brand to the product. It
supplies the majority of high street grocery retailers and its portfolio
includes products aimed at Christmas, Easter, Valentines and Mothers and
Fathers Day, in addition to standard non-seasonal chocolate and fudge
products.
Operations Director Chris Brian says: "Our growth is being constrained not by
a lack of demand but by our capacity to produce our products. This second
fudge production line will significantly improve our manufacturing capacity
and enable us to sell more product both at home and abroad. We are creating
jobs as a result of this move and that is positive for the local economy in
Cornwall."
He added: "We were looking for a proactive banking partner and that is why we
have moved to HSBC. It is a responsive bank and has demonstrated it is keen to
understand our business and where we want to take it."
Stephen Hancock, HSBC Cornwall Area Commercial Director, said: "County
Confectionery is a long-standing family business that is prepared to innovate
and grow to stay relevant to its customer base. This forward-thinking company
is looking forward to the future and HSBC is pleased to be able to support its
growth." For the latest updates, visit the UK Business Press Office social
media newsroom : http://www.newsroom.business.hsbc.co.uk
http://twitter.com/HSBCUKBusiness For a copy of the Global Connections report
and for further information, log onto http://www.globalconnections.hsbc.com/ .
HSBC Bank plc: HSBC serves 16.1 million customers in the UK and employs
approximately 50,000 people. In the UK, HSBC offers a complete range of
personal, premier and private banking services including bank accounts and
mortgages . It also provides commercial banking for small to medium businesses
and corporate and institutional banking services. HSBC Bank plc is a wholly
owned subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc. HSBC Holdings plc
HSBC Holdings plc, the parent company of the HSBC Group, is headquartered in
London. The Group serves customers worldwide from around 6,900 offices in over
80 countries and territories in Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, North and
Latin America, and the Middle East and North Africa. With assets of US$2,652bn
at 30 June 2012, the HSBC Group is one of the world's largest banking and
financial services organisations.
Contact: Kate Woodyatt, katewoodyatt@hsbc.com, +44(0)7920-254-835